Climate change is stressful. Your future is uncertain, and it is normal to feel stressed about that. The trick is not to let the stress overwhelm you. If you are overwhelmed it's harder to believe in the future, you deserve. With that being said, here are some tips to help you cope with climate distress:
Take action. Get involved in community activist groups. Go to protests. Reach out to politicians. Educate your friends and family. Do something that will make a change. Taking action can help you relieve stress by making you feel like you are actually working towards a positive future.
Focus on what you can do. Taking action is great, but you don’t know what to do, and if you try to do too much it can become overwhelming. You want to avoid that. Just start small. In other words, do what you can, with what you have. At least do that for now and see where that leads.
Take a break. At some point you need to step back, and recharge. Even if it is for a short while. Tear yourself away from the news and social media. Try not to talk to your friends about it. Just pretend it doesn't exist for a bit. When you are feeling ready and renewed, reconnect.
Find support. It’s scary and overwhelming, but especially if you try to face it alone. Find people who are also passionate about it. Share your ideas and plans with them. Even rant to them Having a supporting community around you will make things a bit more bearable.
Support yourself. This is support. You are fighting a tough battle. You need to be your own best friend and not your own worst enemy. Take time to reflect on what you have learnt and done and celebrate the small things you have achieved. Don’t be harsh yourself - mentally judging, criticising and beating yourself up won’t help. Get plenty of sleep and eat well, you need to take care of your mind and body if you are going to be strong.
Don’t give up hope. Yes, there is hope. You are not alone - the climate activism movement is growing. The future seems bleak, but change is happening, it just takes time to see it. Remember to take things one step at a time; small actions can have a large impact. There is still hope.
Don’t give up.
Change your perspective and uncover a way forward for you!
Here are some things that can help you with that.
YouTube
Great
reads
A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet by Sarah Jaquette Ray
The first "existential toolkit" for combating eco-guilt and burnout while advocating for climate justice.
Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
This is obviously a classic series. If you haven't read it, now is the time. He might not be isolated, but Harry Potter has to deal with a lot of uncertainty. If you not that into reading, this is the easy read you need.
Emotions! Making Sense of Your Feelings by Mary Lamia, PhD
Thia will help you understand your emotions and who you are, how you appear to others, and what you can be. While your emotional life may feel out of control, your emotions are valuable. It's time to figure just what your emotions are telling you!
Great
Films
I Am Greta
Greta starts school striking for the climate. She skips school and sit outside the parliament to show the politicians that if they don't care about her future, why should she?
2040
Concerned about his young daughter's future, filmmaker Damon Gameau travels the world in search of new approaches and solutions to climate change.
Kubo and the Two Strings
An film of epic proportions. It's a classic tale of good vs evil. The animation is breathtaking and the story pulls you in all directions.
Spotify
This playlist will make things a little bit better, even just for a moment.
Places to find more resources
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